ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 168, 12 April 1935, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

“Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” at St. James “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” will commence a season at the St. James Theatre to-day. The theme of the story is the happiness and poverty of a most lovable family. In their patch-work shack, Mrs. Wiggs and her live children are getting a double Thanksgiving Day thrill. While the Wiggses are preparing to give thanks for a meagre meal of leftover stew, Miss Lucy, from one of the "big houses,” brings them a real Thanksgiving Day feast. The Wiggses are truly happy, the only cloud oil their horizon being the absence of Mr. Wiggs, who lett home live years previously. Miss Luey’s troubles are introduced into tile Wiggses’ home by a visit from Bob Redding, a young newspaper editor and Miss Luey's fiance. Mrs. Wiggs sets out to secure a husband for Miss Hazy, a neighbour of the family, and Mr. Stubbins is brought into the circle of the Wiggses’ friends. Meanwhile Bob Redding mid Miss Lucy, realising the need of the Wiggs family, set out to bring Mr. Wiggs back by advertising in newspapers ail over the country. The need for Mr. Wiggs becomes more acute when Bagley, who holds, the mortgage, announces that he will foreclose. Suddenly, out of nowhere, appears -Mr. IViggs himself, the same meek, silent, thoughtful man, just as seedy-looking as ever. Although his appearance belies her hope, Mrs. Wiggs goes anxiously through the pockets ot' the suit and finds 25 dollars, to cover the mortgage. Their home saved, the reunited family turn out iu gain array for the marriage of their good friends Miss Lucy and Mr. Bob. “Viennese Nights” Again at Majestic Theatre “Viennese Nights,” which will .commence a return season at the Majestic Theatre to-dny, is the creation of Sigmund Romberg and Oscar llammcrstein 11, the two who have created so much glamorous and melodious entertainment. Tlie story is one of exquisite tenderness, the theme being the deathlesstiess of beauty. The settings are gorgeous, being nil in natural colours. The glamour of old Vienna, told so often in story and song, is caught witli stirring vitality. Marching troops, gay ladies, street gamins, stout burghers, ample fraus, all seen in tlie iiickering golden light of leaves blowing, horses bearing ancient vehicles, crowded with gay roysterers, are there But this is but the beginning of the haunting story of love and its renunciation. The action covers a period of 50 years mid some of the scenes are in New York, shifting back to Vienna for the thrilling and unexpected climax. The story is built about the fate of a girl who falls in love with a poor muisieian, but is forced to marry a rich officer by her ambitious father. Through poverty and exile the poor man works desperately, trying lo finish the symphony which is to be dedicated to lice, and it is the grandchildren of the two who find the realisation of the lost dream. 'Those who'know Romberg mid Hmnniersteiii, and who does not, will be able to faintly visualise this last mid greatest work of their united genius. Among tlie supports, will be a film showing tlie world’s badminton champions in action. “Charlie Chan in Paris” at Plaza Theatre Hailed as the most engrossing and ingenious to date of tlie famous “Charlie Chan” films, the latest of tlie series, "Charlie Chan in I’iifis. 1 ' ouee more star-, ring Warner Gland, will commence a season at the Plaza Theatre to-day. Audiences have already viewed “Charlie Chan is Paris” both in Hollywood mid New York, and without exception they have recorded their enthusiasm for this story of a phantom killer who terrorised the gayest city in the world. Arriving in Paris, Charlie Chan is plunged into the dangerous shadows of the most baffling mystery he has ever encountered. The French authorities are frustrated. No one but Charlie is able to find the trail. In the course of bis investigation a beautiful Apache dancer is knifed to death and another lovely girl, an heirfess, is charged with still another tmit'dfei’. But in the end Chan proves her innocence. Philip MacDonald, who wrote the story as the seventh in the "Chan” series of mystery romances, seemingly luig evolved a com-, pletely new twist for the adventures of the famous Chinese detective, In addition to Warner Claud, Mary Brian,. Thomas Beck. Erik Rhodes, John Miljan, John Qualen, Murray Kinnell, Keye Luke, and Minor Watson are iu the cast. “There Goes Susie” at De Luxe Theatre Tlie br.lliant musical comedy, "There Goes Susie,” commencing at the De Luxe Theatre to-day, is a sparkling comedy with romance mid music. This cheery film presents Gene Garrard as an impecunious artist in love witli a wealthy soap manufacturer's daughter. For those who enjoy a good song mid plenty ot sparkling comedy, here should be entertainment of tlie first water. Gene Gerrard appears as Andre Cochet, a noted artist, who falls in love with Madeline Sarteaux (daughter of a wealthy soap magnate), who pretends to be a model. Seeing her witli her father at a fashionable night club, tlie painter erroneously imagines Madeline is gold-digging, and, to get even, flirts witli Bunny, a perky cabaret girl. There follow excruciatingly funny coinplications, mid one of the most laughable episodes in the iihn is that in which Andre Cochet’s bosom friend, a wine waiter, sublets his bedroom to Bunny, sleeping himself in a tiny attic. Gene Gerrard invests tlie role of Cochet witli his customary charm, bringing all. his wellknown resource to the role, it is said. Wendy Barrie is attractive mid charming as Madeline, mid Ous McNaughton provides much fun r.s the faithful, old servant and valet, while Zelina 0 Neal gives another first-rate original performance, witli a laugh in every line of her dialogue. “Bordertown” to be Shown at Paramount Paul Muni is the star of “Bordertowii,” a Warner Bros, production that is to be screened at the Paramount Theatre, commencing to-day. Tlie picture, suggested by Carroll Graham’s best selling novel, is set for the most part in. a gambling resort town on the United States border, a picturesque community, wild mid lawless. tlie rendezvous of rogues, gamblers, outcasts, adventuresses, mid also the meeting place of American millionaires mid bored society women. The plot is ermnmed with thrilling action, intense dramatic situations, tremendous suspense and a most unusual triangular romance. In •‘Bordertowii.” Muni has the role of a foreign youth fired witli inordinate ambition, who drudges at hard labour all dav mid studies law at night, only to be disbarred for attacking an opposing- lawyer. Dauntless, he goes to n border town, where he rises»to riches and power in the community as the proprietor of tlie most fashionable night club mid gambling resort. Two women play a vital part in his life, one a fiery adventuress, the wife of his partner., The role is. played by Bette Davis, who is so much in love witli the handsome youth she murders her Ini"limid in tlie hope of winning the former's affections. Margaret Lindsay has the other leading feminine role, a rich mid bored American society woman who takes a passing fancy to Muni. Harry Thurston at New Opera House [lurry 'Thurston will bo seen to-night for the'iasl lime in his clniracter studies of London life nt the New Opera House. "Mister Cinders" Is the feature picture. "Blossom Tinie.” Schubert, one ot’ tlie greatest composers o£ all ttac, specialised, in the witing

of songs, a big percentage of them songs of love. The gentle, big-hearted Schubert lives again in tlie person of Richard Tauber —-for “Blossom Time,” coming to the New Opera House to-morrow, is the story of Schubert’s life —the tenderness of his love, the bitterness of losing the one girl for whom he longed, the girl who inspired his delightful music. Tauber sings five of the most, beautiful and popular of Schubert’s melodies. The associate feature is Fay Wray in "Strange Wives.”

“The Private Life of Don Juan” at Regent

“The Private Life of Don Juan," the feature of tlie new programme at the Regent Theatre, was produced in London, by Alexander Korda for London ffilms, which gave two of the outstanding triumphs of screen history, “The Private Life of Henry VIII” and "Catherine the Great,’’ and : it is said that “Don Juan” is the most pretentious offering of these producers. Lavishly mounted and produced with infinite care, tlie film is a feast of beauty and colour. Every foot is chock full of entertainment. Don Juan, the matchless lover, loses his name and reputation when a young gallant who has been successfully impersonating him is killed by a jealous husband. Enormously amused at the idea that all feminine Spain has gone into mourning for him. Don Juan enjoys the unique experience of attending his own funeral and then takes advantage of this opportunity to go into retirement incognito and eat and sleep to his heart's content with an thought of his looks or nis figure. However, when he attempts to use his old wiles on a pretty barmaid, and she demands a pair of earrings, he quickly calls in his masseur and trains down to his old Weight. But still he cannot succeed with tlie ladies, who laugh at the very idea of his being Don Juan. Returning to Seville, the scene of his earlier conquests, lie approaches Pepilla, a beautiful dancer, whose fame depends on the fact that he had loved her. but oven she falls to recognise him and (unis from him tn a younger man. Utterly disillusioned, be admits defeat aud returns to his wife. Some of England’s most famous screen actresses appear in the film. Tile supports include a Mickey Mouse cartoon.

“The Scarlet Empress” at the King’s Theatre

Produced witli a lavishness that is truly amazing. "The Scarlet Empress.” starring Marlene Dietrich, commences screening tills afternoon at the King's Theatre. It is a glittering drama of the regime in old Russia, the story of Catherine 11. with its grotesque atmosphere, its bizarre living, and its pageantry. It is a drama that brings a girl from a secluded life to bo an outstanding figure in the polities of the world, virtually reaching a powerful throne on the shoulders of her lovers. Marlene Dietrich is seen as that girl. The supporting cast includes John Lodge. Sam Jaffe, and Louise Dresser. Marlene Dietrich mny be said to reach one of the heights of her career with the role of Catherine in ‘‘The Scarlet Empress.” It is drama, exciting, powerful. and thrilling, filled witli the exotic splendour of the old Russia. The supporting programme includes the "Popeye the Sailor" cartoon. "Shiver Me Timbers."

Two Comedies at Rex Theatre Currently screening nt [he Rex Theatre are two amusing comedies, together with mi admirable selection of short subjects. A comedy production, “Let Me Explain, Dour,” starring (lie inimitable Gene Gerrard, is tlie principal attraction. "For tlie Love of Mike," tlie supporting feature, is reported to be one of the most joyoils things in celluloid, that have been seen for many years past.

Two Features nt Roxy Theatre

Conuueiicing to-day, a double feature programme of promise will in- shown nt the Boxy Theatre. Tlie two ill ms are “Lottery Lover" mid “She V ns a Lady, 'rile former is 11 comedy played by a tintable cast. Including Pal Paterson mid Lew Ayres, mid the latter, a drama by Elizabeth Cobb, is said to give Helen Twelvetrees the outstanding role ot her career.